Apparatus for edging and forming



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Jan. 18, 1944. w. RUTTEN APPARATUS FOR EDGING AND FORMIENG Filed May "10, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet l4 INVENTOR. W41. raefmE/v ATTORNEY.

Jan. 18, 1944.

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Patented Jan. lg, 1944 UNi'iED STATES PATENT orrics 2,339,355 APPARATUS FOR EDGING ANDI FORMING I Walter Button, Plainfield, Ill.

Application May 10, 1940, Serial No. 334,425

20 Claims. (01. 153-2) My invention relates to an improved apparatus for cutting or edging and forming fiat sheets of material such as Wood, laminated wood, composition board, plywood and sheet metal blanks.

Preformed or prefabricated sheet metal units are adaptable for use in a large variety of industries. In the building of sheet metal homes or other types of buildings or portions of buildings, a large number of sheet metal units of the same size and shape are usually employed. Ordinarily these units are formed with edge portions or ribs;

which must be formed in the same during their fabrication. In the use of a large number of similarly shaped units for co-action in a building or other assembly, it is highly important that each individual unit together with its specific configuration, correspond exactly to the other. It is further desirable in preforming units of the type described, to perform all the bending and cutting operations necessary in a minimum of time and with a minimum of efifort.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus by which a fiat sheet of material such as a sheet metal blank may be carried through a series of steps in which the periphery of the finished unit is determined and the sheet cut to the required size to meet this dimension, and ribs or other configurations either upon the edges or in the body of the unit are formed with accuracy and with a minimum of time and effort.

The further description will be directed particularly to the handling of sheet metal blanks, although it will be understood that flat sheets of other material may be similarly fabricated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the type described wherein, a continuous operation and in a continuous machine, loose blanks of sheet metal may have their edges trimmed to a desired size and continue on through the machine and receive the required bends along the edges or in the body of the sheet, be curved or otherwise formed in a lateral direction, all in a continuous operation and with one handling of the sheet.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of the type described adapted to have removable or changeable elements so that the same machine is capable of edging or forming sheet metal units of any desired size or shape within reasonable limits.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the class described so constructed that the forming heads or cutter members for edging a sheet metal unit are removable and replaceable with a: minimum of effort. a Y 4 A further object of the invention i to provide an improved apparatus for forming or edging a sheet metal unit wherein movable edging or cuttings heads are accurately guided throughout their operation so that every unit will be exactly the same as the next. V a

A further object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of the class described an improved manner of replacing or changing the forming heads so that the machine may easily and quickly be prepared to edge and form different sized units.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved drive construction for the removable edging and forming heads.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means associated with a machine of the type described whereby the sheet metal units which have been edged and formed may be given a final arcuate bend to a desired radius.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for forming a radius in sheet metal members.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved drive mechanism in an apparatus of the class described whereby a work carrying table may be driven forward at a desired rate of speed throughout various operations of the machine, and then automatically reversed to return the work supporting carriage to a starting position.

Afurther object of the present invention is to provide removable or adjustable cam track members for guiding the edging and forming heads so that the same may be easily removed and replaced for producing sheet metal units of a different shape and contour.

A further object of the invention is to provide 7 an improved construction of forming or. edging head for a machine of the type described.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description wherein reference is had to the fifteen sheets of drawings which accompany the same, and upon which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the specification. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a sheet metal blank which is'tobe trimmed to a desired size and then preformed with certain ribs and edge bends, after which the same is adapted to be bent to a desired radius,

so that a plurality of the same connected together at their edges may form a semi-spherical roof element;

Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view illustrating the first step in the process, which is the middle rib that is formed longitudinally through the sheet;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the third step in the process, which is the trimming of the edges so that the unit will be of a desired SIZE;

Fig. 4 is a similar perspective view of the unit shown with the middle longitudinal rib and with the edge bends which have been formed in the same;

Fig, 5 is a perspective view of the completed unit showing the same bend to a radius so that a plurality of units, when connected together, 7

will form a semi-spherical enclosure;

Fig. 6A is a fragmentary plan section of the front end of the machine and starting platform, with parts broken away in the platform'to foreshorten the same; a V

Fig. 6B is a plan section of a portion of the machine directly forward of that shown in Fig.

Fig. 6C is a plan section of the portion of the machine directly. forward of that shown in Fig. 6B, andshows among other things, the edge cutting heads and several rib forming heads;

Fig. 6-D is a plan view of the rear end of the machine directly beyond that shown in Fig. 6C, and shows among other things, the mechanism for forming the unit to a desired radius;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary plan View of a portion of the supporting table and cam track;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the movable table and work supporting carriage are removably secured together so that the work supporting table is interchangeable;

Fig, 91s a plan view of a modified form of work-table which may be substituted for that shown in Fig. 8, together with the cam track for guiding the forming dies or rollers to conform to the contour of the unit on the work table;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the first set of rollers for forming the medial rib in the unit, and is taken generally on the line [0-] 0 of Fig; 6-A;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the "same with a fragment of a sheet metal blank positioned therein;

Fig. 12 is a similar fragmentary view showing the last set of forming rollers adjacent the front of the machine for completing the rib in the sheet metal blank;

Figx13 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the lines l3-l3 of Fig. 6B, illustrating the bed of the machine, the movable table and other elements; a

Fig. 14 is a similar sectional view shown somewhat diagrammatically, taken generally on the line I l-44 of Fig. 6C, showing the hand clutch operating mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the edging and forming head station and the drive therefor.;-

Fig. 16 is a generally diagrammatic plan view of the carriage stop and clutch mechanism for reversing the direction of travel of the carriage;

Fig. 1'7 is a side elevational view of the radius forming mechanism and the receiving 'platform for the completed units;

Fig. 1815 a fragmentary plan view of the nose of the movable carriage;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the same with parts broken in section to more clearly show other parts;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary plan view of a set of forming heads, with parts broken in section and broken away to more clearly show other parts;

Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view of the same taken generally on the line 2l2l of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a side sectional view of the forming heads shown in Fig. 20, taken generally on the line 22 22 of Fig, 20;

Fig. 23 is a vertical sectional View through the radius forming station and is taken generally on the lines 23-23 of Fig. 6--D;

Fig. 23A is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 23 taken at a different plane;

Fig. 23-3 is an elevational view of the head shown in Fig. 23A;

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view on a greatly reduced scale of the entire machine;

Fig. 25 is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating the drive for the various elements;

Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken generally on the lines 2626 of Fig. 25; and

Fig. 2'7 is a vertical sectional view showing one of the rotatable bearings for the square shaft drive.

The method and apparatus which I have illustrated will be described with particular reference to the method used for constructing sector shaped roof sctions for silos of the general type shown anddescribed in Patent No. 2,112,348, issued to Peter Rutten March 29, 1938, although of course it is understood and will appear more fully hereinafter, that the machine or the method is not limited to the particular product above men tioned, and the wide and varied latitude in which the same may be used will be more apparent as the description progresses.

In forming a roof sector of the type above described and as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, I provide a blank ill of sheet metal of the desired thickness or gauge suitable for the purpose required. The blank [0 maybe generally shaped'similal to the finished product and may have the tapered side walls 12 and M, the reduced front end It and the back end H3. The first step in the method which I employ to form and trim this blank to the desired shape, is to provide a medial groove 20 in the blank [2 so that the blank may fit upon the island or saddle which is to carry it through the balance of the operations.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated the first operation which occurs after the groove 20 has been formed. It consists of trimming the edges 12 and I4 and cutting off the portions I2a and I la to bring the size of the blank to absolutely accurate dimensions. The next step consists in making the edge or ridge formations 22 and 24 in the edges of the blank after the same have been trimmed to the desired size. The next step consists in bending the entire blank H) to the arcuate shape shown in Fig. 5 so that when a plurality of the same are connected together they will generally form a semi-spherical roof or enclosure unit which is adaptable to various uses such as that described in the aforementioned patent.

It will thus be seen that the method which I employ consists of the movement of a flat blank through appropriate mechanism for forming surface configurations in the same, cutting the edges to trim the blank to a desired size, bending the edges in a desired manner, and then bending the entire unit to a desired shape. In the disclosure, this is shown as arcuate, although it 86 is positioned between pairs of small rollers will be understood that the invention contemplates bending to otherdesirable shapes.

In-Fig. 6-A I have shown a starting platform 25 upon which the sheet metal blanks may be placed with the forward edge It of the blank Ill against the first set of forming rollers. In order to align the same more or less accurately, I have provided a gauge pin 23 for positioning the blank, and as the same is fed forward through the first set of forming rollers, the rear edge It is guided in a small channel member 38 mounted upon the work table and positioned parallel with the first set of forming rollers.

As previously mentioned, the first set of forming rollers are for the purpose of forming the medial groove 20 inthe blank Ill. In the drawings I have shown a plurality of sets of forming rollers 32 graduated in size so that when the unit leaves the last set of rollers, a groove approximately A wide and A2" deep will be formed in the sheet.

The forming rollers 32 may generally comprise vertically aligned rollers 34 and 36 mounted upon shaft members 33 and so which extend across the machine and are positioned in suitable bearings A2. The bearings 52 may be mounted upon the top of the parallel channel members 24 and 45 which extend generally throughout the length of the machine. The bearings 32 may be of the usual type for yieldably receiving material to be worked upon, and may include the compression spring 48 positioned between the upper and lower bearing block in the parallel walled journal 583. A top plate 42a may extend the length of all live sets of forming rollers 32, and at each set of bearings I provide an adjusting bolt 52 for limiting the amount of flexibility between the rollers.

In Fig. 11 I have shown the first set of forming rollers beginning the groove in the blank i2, and in Fig. 12 I have shown the last set of forming rollers 54 and-55 which provide the /2" width and Z2" depth of the groove 28. Each of the shafts 33" and ti? for each of the sets of rollers 32, extends to the rear of the machine to receive a chain drive from a source of power. to have all of the sets of rollers rotating in the same direction, I provide the chain 58 geared to a sprocket upon the third shaft 38, and the chain drives 6. 3, 62, M and 6'6 connected to the other shafts 33 respectively so that all of the forming rollers will revolve in the same direction.

In Fig. 6B I have shown the section of the machine immediately forward of the first set of forming rollers which have just been described. In the initial work receiving position, the movable table 66 is positioned with its back edge Iii below the rollers 32 and the ends of the cam track members l2 and 14 abutting against the edge of the receiving table 26. The movable table 88 in the embodiment shown, is comparatively long and rests upon and is adapted for reciprocal movement upon spaced sets of 1 rollers 15 that are mounted on angle members 18 which extend throughout the length of the machine. The angle members are supported at intervals by channel members 80 secured to the lower sides of the channel members 4 and 45. The frame as thus constructed is supported a desired height above the floor by upright channel members 82 spaced at necessary intervals and suitable cross bracing 84 throughout the machine. The table 58 is guided in its reciprocal movement by a small channel member 88 fastened to. the bottom of the same and extending throughout the length of the table. The guide In order I 88 secured upon the cross channels Bil. With this construction, the table moves freely from the forward to the back end of the machine, and is guided between the frameof the machine very accurately.

The movable table tr, shown in Fig. 6-13 and diagrammatically in Fig. 8, is constructed of three parts, or sections, 6811, $812 and 680. The sections are fastened together in any suitable manner such as by screw members 58d with the intermediate section resting upon ledges 68c and 68 of the end sections. The intermediate section 58b is adapted to carry a support or saddle Bil which is generally triangular in shape and approximately the shape of the formed unit, although the shape of this support is immaterial, as will be hereinafter pointed out.

The cam track members l2 and i i are adapted I to be fastened upon the various sections of the table by suitable screw members 72a and are provided as shown in Fig. 7 with internesting portions 72b. so thatthe intermediate portion of the table may be removed together with the cam trackslocated thereon and a difierent section substituted. As shown in Fig. 6-33, the

cam tracks l2 and M extend forward in general alignment with the support 90 and in. the start ing position of the machine, have their extended edges 94 and 9t passing through the last row of forming units shown in Fig. 6C.

Referring now to Fig. 6C, it will be noted that I have provided a plurality of forming head units 98 and Hill suspended from rod members itZ and 5M above the movable carriage 63. As shown in Fig. 15, the rods It? and lll l'are journalled in channel members I86 and IE8 mounted upon uprights lddwhich rest upon the side frame members 54 and 65. Each set of forming heads 58' may be driven by'a square shaft 1 ill and each set of forming heads use may be driven by a square shaft H2. Suitable sprocket members H4 are provided on each of the shafts Hi3 and H2 so that by an appropriate chain drive, which will be described hereinafter, all of the forming heads are driven in the same direction and at the same rate of speed.

The forming heads The forming heads 98 and we may be identical in construction, in their mode of operation, and in the manner in which the same are driven.

Therefore in this disclosure, one set of heads will be described, it being understood that the others are similar except for the differences which will appear.

As shown in Figs. 29,21 and 22', the forming heads 88 may include a base plate i259 which has a guide #22 pivotally connected thereto by means of a bolt member 9255a at its forward end. The guide l22 (see Fig. 6C), ex ends outwardly from the heads between sets of rollers I24 mounted onthe table portion lid. The back iEt is generally held against upward movement by an arm l2| that has a portion extending over the edge of the same and is fastened by the bolts I23 to the guide i291 Each head 98 has duplicate sets of forming rollers and drives therefor which are pivotally mounted upon the base plate I 2!].

Thus, as shown in Fig. 22, I provide a bolt member $23 which fastens through a roller arm 5 39, base plate [28, and a dovetail shaped plate I32 thereabove. The back end of the plate 132 is fastened to the plate I20 by a bolt I34 which extendsthrough an elongated slot I36 in the plate I32 so that a complete head unit may be adjusted angularly upon the plate. The roller arm I30 carries beneath the same a pair of head guiding rollers I 38 and I40 positioned upon opposite sides of the cam track member 12 that is mounted upon the movable table 46. Each of the individual roller carrying head portions 98a and 981; are pivotally connected by bolt members I42 to a cross strap I44 which in turn, is fastened to a U-shaped carrier I46 in which dual sets of rollers I48 are mounted. The support rod I02 passes between the sets of rollers I48 and in this manner both of the heads 98a and 981) are pivotally carried upon the rod I02. As thus far described, means has been provided for guiding each of the heads individually along the cam track 12 and means have been provided for supporting the same so that they are free to move in and out toward the unit or blank upon which the rollers are working.

* Each of the heads carries upper and lower forming rollers I50 and I52 secured in the ends of the aligned shafts. The square shaft H is connected to the lower roller I50 in driving relation and the upper roller I50 may be keyed to a round stub shaft I52 mounted in the housing I54. I provide the gears I56 and I58 upon the two shafts mentioned in driving relation so that the upper shaft will be driven simultaneously with the lower. Suitable bushings and suitable journals for the shafts mentioned are provided in the housing I54. In the use of forming rollers of the type described, it is of course necessary that a yielding relation exist between the upper and the lower rollers. Accordingly, with the lower roller journalled against angular movement, I provide a bearing I60 for the shaft I52 having the coiled spring member I62 positioned thereabove and so located in the housing I54 that upward angular movement of the shaft I52 may be obtained to effect a clearance'between the adjacent edges of the rollers I50. The bearing I60 may have perpendicular walls and be positioned in a vertical slot I64 in the housing I54 with a spring pressure adjusting means I66 above the spring I62 and a vertically disposed screw member I68 engaging a pointed lower end of the bearing I60 for the minute adjustment when desired. The rear end of the shaft I52 may be mounted in a bearing I pivoted upon a rod I12 in the housing I54 and held in position upon this pivot by a bolt member I14.

Fro-m the above description it can be seen that due to the spring member I62, the rollers will normally be held together, but when a blank of sheet material passes between the same, the upper roller is permitted against the spring tension to raise sufficiently to permit the thickness of the blank to pass between the same and be formed according to the contour of the rollers I50. Means for holding the housing I54 at its original set position upon the plate I32 may comprise the elongated bolt members I16 and I18 which have a lower threaded end I80 that passes through a tapped opening in the housing I 54 and frictionally bears against the base plate I20. It is of course understood that in setting up the location of the heads for a desired forming or edging operation, it is necessary to adjust them upon the base plate I20, and it is for this purpose that the dovetail shaped plates I32 are provided, engaging in the dovetail slots I 32a in the housings I54.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have provided a construction of work head which carries two sets of forming rollers, each of which is individually guided by the cam track 12 and which may be individually adjusted upon the base plate I20. With the construction shown, and with a chain drive I84 from the sprocket I86 upon shaft IIO to a sprocket I83 mounted upon the similar square shaft I I0a in the head 98a, it is understood of course that the sprockets I86 and I88 are of the same size so that the speed of the work rollers I50 in each unit will be the same. While I have not shown the cutting rollers which are mounted upon the first set of heads 90 and I00, their construction is well known, and when mounted in the manner that the rollers I50 are mounted and driven in the same way, they will trim the edge of a sheet of material as here inbefore described.

Radius forming station The movable carriage 46 having moved forward through the forming rollers in Station 2 just described, wherein the edges or other grooves in the material were formed, now moves forward, automatically releases the blank that is being worked upon, and the blank or unit is introduced (see Figs. 6-D, 17 and 23) between the driven receiving rollers 200 and 202. The roller 200 has a medial enlarged flange 20I fitting into a groove 204 in the roller 202 to direct the blank, the enlargement riding in the medial groove 20 of the blank I0. The rollers 200 and 202 may be mounted in appropriate hearings in the upright support members 206 and 208 which extend from the side channel members 44 and 46. The blank I0 is directed forward and the groove 20 and its edges enter an arcuately shaped trough 2 I0 hingedly connected at its rear end to an upright wall 2I2 with its forward end 214 positioned upon the upright end of vertical adjusting means such as a bolt member 2| 6 secured to a rigid cross bar 2H3. A support member 220 may be connected to the cross bar 2| 8 to provide a seat for the lower end 222 of a receiving rack 224 for the completed unit. The receiving rack 224 for the unit shown in the disclosure may consist of a plurality of frame members 226 that are arcuate in shape and provide in effect a receiving table for the completed unit. The opposite end of the table 224 may be supported by appropriate bracing 228 fastened to the side frame members 44 and 46.

Mechanism for forming a radius or other desired planetary deformation of the unit or blank may include a pair of heads such as the heads 02a positioned upon opposite sides of the trough 214. These heads may have the forming rollers 230 and 232 shaped to ride in the angularly disposed grooves that have previously been formed along the edges in the unit at Station 2. The heads 96a are mounted upon a bed plate I20a. similar to that previously described with the medial pivot 124a to permit angular movement of the heads. The plate I20c may be mounted upon a channel shaped frame 236 which is positioned between the cross braces 2H3 and HM. The frame 236 is provided with horizontally disposed guide rollers 238 and 240 riding against the cross braces mentioned and With supporting rollers 242 and 244 riding upon the top of the cross braces 218 and Him, respectively. To prevent upward movement of the heads, I provide a roller 246 positioned upon a shaft 248 secured to the upper end of the head 08a and adapted to bear against one leg of a horizontal-channel member 250 positioned between the uprights 208 and 206.

The roller 252, positioned in the trough 21B, is mounted upon a support 254 rigidly secured to the frame member 250. This roller is adapted to generally guide the unit as it is moved forward through the radius forming rollers.

In this forward movement, the edges of the unit'are guided by the rollers 230, the blank is moving forward guided medially in the trough 2M and the edges of the blank are introduced between pairs of radius forming roller 256 and 258. The rollers 256 are mounted upon brackets 259 that are secured to the heads 98a and are disposed at an angle to provide a bevel formation in the metal at the groovesto make the unit more rigid. The rollers 258 are mounted upon shafts 260 that are supported in brackets 282 pivotally mounted upon lugs 2M integral with the housing of the heads 88a. Means :for moving the shafts 250 and their respective rollers up or down to form the blank into a radius of smalleror greater diameter include the rigid arms 255 .con- I nected to the pivoted brackets 262 and extending upwardly through a ledge 298 formed on the housing of the heads 98a. The arms 2% are screw-threaded at their upper ends to receive nut members 21!) upon opposite side of the ledg 26% so that by moving the nuts, the shafts 28B and their respective rollers may be moved up and down to form 'a greater or smaller radius in the blanks. While a similar adjustment is not shown for the rollers 256, it is of course understood that they may be interchanged or adjusted.

The shafts 280 are provided with sprocket wheels 263 to receive chain drives 2% from suitable sprockets mounted upon the shafts 2320a. The shafts 236a may extend outwardly and be provided with sprockets 269 supported in suitable journals 2T2 mounted upon the extended table portions 272. The sprockets 269 are driven by chain members 276 from sprockets 2'18 mounted upon 'a cross shaft 2% supported in suitable bearing upon the cross frame member 250. A sprocket 282 mounted on the shaft 280 has a chain drive 28 3 from the driven feed roller 202 which in turn is driven by a chain 58' from the main drive shaft of the machine. V

LAS previously described, th frame 236 of each of the heads 98a is capable of reciprocal movement across the machine, being appropriately guided by the means described. In addition, 'I provide a guide bar I220! for each'of the heads extending outwardly between sets of rollers i241. While the heads 98a are moved outwardly by means of the engagement of the rollers with the edge grooves as described, I employ'spring means for moving them toward th center of the machine. This means may include the coiled spring members 291! connected between the heads 93a and the side uprights 208 and 288. It will be understood, however, that thecam track could be extended or other positive means provided for effooting the return movement of the heads.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that as a blank passes through the feed rollers 22% and 222 and is guided forward in the curved trough 2H5, the rigidly positioned roller 252 will hold the blank down and start forming the plane of the unit or blank into an arc in the trough 2lil. As the unit or blank progresses, the edges of the same meet the rollers 256 and 253 which have previously been positioned to form the desired curve in the blank. By means of rollers 23% riding in grooves in the'unit, and due to the fact that the sets of rollers .256 and 1258 are carried by the opposed heads 980., the heads will move outwardly to conform to the sideishapes of the unit, and will thus have a bending effect along the outer edges. With the bending taking place along the edges and directly through the middle, and with the .bevels being formed as described, the unit is easily bent to conform to a desired radius.

Drive for the movable table The table 68, as previously mentioned, is adapted to move the blank from Station l where the medial grooveis placed in the blank, carry it through the cutting and forming rollers at Station 2, and deliver the blank to the radius forming mechanism just described at Station 3. The empty table then automatically returns to its initial starting position to receive the next blank. In its return trip the cam tracks move all of the forming and cutting heads at Station 2 back to a starting position.

The carriage is adapted to be driven (see Figs. 25 and 26) in both directions from a shaft 300 which carries a pulley 302 about which a cable 304 forms a complete circle, one end extending about a pulley 306 carried by the tableBB, and the other end extendedabout a pulley 308 journalled in the base adjacent Station 3. Both ends of the cable are connected at 310 to the forward end of the table 63. When the shaft 300 is revolved in a counter-clockwise direction, the table '68. will be moved forward carrying the work through the various station described, and when the shaft act :is rotated in a clockwise direction, the table will be moved back to its originalstarting position.

In order to accomplish this movement, IpI'O- vide a pair of sprockets M2 and 3M on the shaft 300. The sprocket 312 is driven by a chain 3H5 directly from the main drive shaft M0. The sprocket 31 3 is driven by a chain 320 which passes over a pair of idler sprockets 322 and 324 mounted upon the stub shafts 326 and 328. Both the sprockets 3E2 and 3M are loose upon the shaft 300. A driven clutch member 330 positioned between the same and keyed to the shaft is adapted the other of these sprockets. Thus; when sprocket 3l2 is engaged and driven, the shaft 300 will be revolved in a counter-clockwise direction and the table will be moved forward through the machine in the manner described. When, however, the clutch engages the sprocket 3|4,-due to the idler sprockets 322 and 324, the direction of rotation of the shaft 392 is reversed, and the table will be moved back through the machine to a starting position.

By making the sprocket 382 for the direct :drive larger than the sprocket 3, the speed of movement of the empty table back to a starting position may be increased, thus speeding up the operation of the machine.

In Figs. 14 and 16 I have shown in a diagrammatic manner the hand clutch operating mechanism and the automatic mechanism for operating the clutch to reverse the direction of travel of the table at the end of its operation. The :clutch 33!! mounted on shaft 322 may have a hand lever 340 for manually operating the same. The lever 34!) may be pivotedfrom an arm 342 mounted on the frame member 48 and have a 'rod 344 connected thereto and extending to a hand lever 3'46 pivotally mounted upon the front frame member 44. The arm 340 mayhave an extension 348 

